Belgian model
Also called: Belgian power-sharing model · Topic: Power-sharing: Majoritarianism versus Accommodation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 1 "Power-sharing"; Class 10, Ch 2 "Federalism"
Meaning
The Belgian model is the way Belgium shared power between its Dutch-speaking majority and its French-speaking minority. It was built through four constitutional amendments between 1970 and 1993. It has four main parts:
- The central government has equal numbers of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers.
- Regional governments have their own powers and are not subordinate, meaning not placed under, the Centre.
- Brussels has its own government with equal representation for both communities.
- A community government handles culture, education and language.
Since 1993, Belgium's Constitution has called it "a federal State composed of Communities and Regions".
Example
In Brussels, Dutch speakers were a minority (20%). French speakers accepted equal representation for them in the Brussels government. In return, Dutch speakers accepted equal numbers of ministers at the Centre, even though they were a majority in the country. The model prevented civil strife and kept Belgium united. Brussels later became the headquarters of the European Union.
Don't confuse with
- Number of reforms: NCERT counts four amendments (1970-93), but Belgium has had six state reforms in all. "Belgium had only four reforms" is a trap.
- Consociational democracy: this is the general theory of power-sharing in divided societies. The Belgian model is one real case of it.